Global Mission Service

Read John 1:1-2 and Mark 15:33-34

• What do you notice?
• What stands out to you?
• What observations or questions does this passage raise?

Discuss:

Have you ever been really close with someone, and then have them betray you, ‘ghost’ you or otherwise let you down?

• What was that like?
• What questions did it raise?
• What did you have to do to move through it?

There are a few passages that consider the cost Jesus paid to come down to earth in the Incarnation (becoming flesh) like Philippians 2:5-11, 2 Corinthians 8:9, and Hebrews 2:10-18.

• What do you imagine were some of the specific sacrifices in giving up Godly power and heavenly peace?
• What might it look like for us to imitate that kind of self-giving sacrifice? What might we do, or what have people done?

In his Sunday message, Paul goes a step further and looked at the separation from God that Jesus experienced. Going from being able to spend all night in prayer to feeling completely alone and abandoned on the cross must have been one of the most painful parts of Jesus’ life.

• What is your response to knowing that Jesus suffered all of this for us?
• How might it help us or others knowing that Jesus understands this kind of isolation and suffering?
• How does Jesus meet the needs of those who are lonely and isolated when they come to Him? What is our part in that?
• Paul said several times, “We expect to succeed and we expect to suffer.” How would you respond to that statement, and how does it challenge you?

Pray: that God would lead you in considering how you might connect more deeply with God, with people you need and with people who might need you (and ultimately Jesus).